How do you react..

[Theorist]

Re: How do you react..

This is what I wrote on my Facebook page about France color filter uproar

Why is it about Paris?

I did not use the France flag filter to show my solidarity with the victims of Paris terrorist act, but that does not mean that my heart is not with them. And my heart being with them does not mean that my heart is not with the innocent lives being lost in Beirut, Syria, Iraq or elsewhere in the world. Quite honestly, I am little disturbed with all the postings where people are questioning the use of France colors. Let me ask those people some questions.

When you book your vacation, have enough money to go out on an international shopping spree, plan your honeymoon etc, do you think of Paris as your destination, or do you consider Beirut, Baghdad, Kabul or Yemen as your dream location? When you think of fashion trends, think of where to buy best fragrance from, or order some chocolates, did you ever go to Amazon’s Kabul website? If you want to send your kids for higher education, would you send them to University of France in Paris, or University of Iraq in Baghdad?

France, or for that matter West represents the part of this world where peace and justice (in some shape and form) still exist for the common people. We all are hoping that one day in Middle East, south east Asia and Africa, people could travel and live as peacefully as they live in western world. We hope for people to have the same liberties, and enjoy the same luxuries as available for the people of West. The attack of Paris is the attack on the peace and freedom that we all seek. It’s not about a country or skin color, it’s about the violation of basic human rights, in a city where it was not expected.

I am from Karachi. When violence erupts in Liyari or Orangi town, people feel sad but move on. But when a similar act of violence happens in Clifton or Defence, the sadness and fear elevate further. That does not mean that lives in Orangi are less important. That fear and uneasiness come from the penetration of terrorism into another, otherwise peaceful location. It’s like when you see fire spreading, and when it catches another home, your heart sinks even deeper.

Let’s not play politics on human lives. Let’s not forget that world DID recognize the tragedy of Peshawar and Nigeria. It’s just that we did not pay attention to that recognition, because it did not happen through Facebook. People mourn for the loss of innocent lives, everywhere. That expression of mourning sometimes takes different shape and form.

Facebook never celebrated a heterosexual reunion, but you did see the rainbow color filter. That does not mean that people think that union of a man and woman is not a joyful occasion. Lets not confuse our minds people. Lets be together, as humans.

Tariq

PS: I am not a professional writer, so please ignore my grammar and errors.

Well said! I don't understand this selective empathy. This is why I have zero respect for politics and what it stands for. It's all about choosing sides. I refuse to pick sides so I stand on the sidelines and watch the world burn down and it happens over and over again. You can either participate and get destroyed or be like Australia "WTF, mate?"!

Yes, I am a tree-hugging hippie. Kill me!

[Southie]

Re: How do you react..

This is what I wrote on my Facebook page about France color filter uproar

Why is it about Paris?

I did not use the France flag filter to show my solidarity with the victims of Paris terrorist act, but that does not mean that my heart is not with them. And my heart being with them does not mean that my heart is not with the innocent lives being lost in Beirut, Syria, Iraq or elsewhere in the world. Quite honestly, I am little disturbed with all the postings where people are questioning the use of France colors. Let me ask those people some questions.

When you book your vacation, have enough money to go out on an international shopping spree, plan your honeymoon etc, do you think of Paris as your destination, or do you consider Beirut, Baghdad, Kabul or Yemen as your dream location? When you think of fashion trends, think of where to buy best fragrance from, or order some chocolates, did you ever go to Amazon’s Kabul website? If you want to send your kids for higher education, would you send them to University of France in Paris, or University of Iraq in Baghdad?

France, or for that matter West represents the part of this world where peace and justice (in some shape and form) still exist for the common people. We all are hoping that one day in Middle East, south east Asia and Africa, people could travel and live as peacefully as they live in western world. We hope for people to have the same liberties, and enjoy the same luxuries as available for the people of West. The attack of Paris is the attack on the peace and freedom that we all seek. It’s not about a country or skin color, it’s about the violation of basic human rights, in a city where it was not expected.

I am from Karachi. When violence erupts in Liyari or Orangi town, people feel sad but move on. But when a similar act of violence happens in Clifton or Defence, the sadness and fear elevate further. That does not mean that lives in Orangi are less important. That fear and uneasiness come from the penetration of terrorism into another, otherwise peaceful location. It’s like when you see fire spreading, and when it catches another home, your heart sinks even deeper.

Let’s not play politics on human lives. Let’s not forget that world DID recognize the tragedy of Peshawar and Nigeria. It’s just that we did not pay attention to that recognition, because it did not happen through Facebook. People mourn for the loss of innocent lives, everywhere. That expression of mourning sometimes takes different shape and form.

Facebook never celebrated a heterosexual reunion, but you did see the rainbow color filter. That does not mean that people think that union of a man and woman is not a joyful occasion. Lets not confuse our minds people. Lets be together, as humans.

Tariq

PS: I am not a professional writer, so please ignore my grammar and errors.

Well written. Made a lot of sense.

Not sure I agree with everything. I think FB recognizing other loss of lives should also be recognized is a step forward.

[Southie]

Re: How do you react..

Am in an International meeting. With 3 attendees from France. All nice gentlemen. None spoken about the attack. When I spoke with one of them, and stated I hope there is peace everywhere (globally) he enthusiastically agreed. He said " that is what all of us have to focus on".

Not one negative word about Muslims or Islam.

This is a small sample - I grant that.

[TLK]

Re: How do you react..

Well said! I don't understand this selective empathy. This is why I have zero respect for politics and what it stands for. It's all about choosing sides. I refuse to pick sides so I stand on the sidelines and watch the world burn down and it happens over and over again. You can either participate and get destroyed or be like Australia "WTF, mate?"!

Yes, I am a tree-hugging hippie. Kill me!

Yup. Human life is human life, be it a muslim, jew, hindu or any religion.

Well written. Made a lot of sense.

Not sure I agree with everything. I think FB recognizing other loss of lives should also be recognized is a step forward.

I dont care too much about FB, at least my page, cause I see nothing but biased posts. Few days ago, I almost wanted to deactivate my FB account, because the posts were just making me sick

[SID_NY]

Re: How do you react..

Honestly I'm hating my FB feed. It looks like there are only two type of people in the world. One who are saying Islam and all muslims are the root of all evil. And second group bashing western muslims for changing their DP to french color.

[Southie]

Re: How do you react..

Yup. Human life is human life, be it a muslim, jew, hindu or any religion.

I dont care too much about FB, at least my page, cause I see nothing but biased posts. Few days ago, I almost wanted to deactivate my FB account, because the posts were just making me sick

I agree with u. I thought u were a bit hard on muslims when u stated it was understandable fb didn't put up Lebanon flag. I think they shouldnhave.